Types Of X-Rays

X-rays are divided into two main categories, intraoral and extraoral. With intraoral X-rays, the X-ray film is inside the mouth. With extraoral X-rays, the film is outside the mouth.

Intraoral Radiographs Intraoral X-rays are the most common type. They give a high level of detail. These X-rays allow dentists to:

Find cavities

Look at the tooth roots

Check the health of the bony area around the tooth

See the status of developing teeth

Otherwise monitor good tooth health

The various types of intraoral X-rays show different aspects of the teeth:

Bite-wing X-ray

Bite-wing X-rays (right) highlight the crowns of the back teeth. Dentists take one or two bite-wing X-rays on each side of the mouth. Each X-ray shows the upper and lower molars (back teeth) and bicuspids (teeth in front of the molars). These X-rays are called "bite-wings" because you bite down on a wing-shaped device that holds the film in place while the X-ray is taken. These X-rays help dentists find decay between back teeth.

Periapical X-ray

Periapical X-rays (left) highlight only one or two teeth at a time. A periapical X-ray looks similar to a bite-wing X-ray. However, it shows the entire length of each tooth, from crown to root.

Depending on your oral health and dental history your dentist may recommend a full-mouth radiographic surveya, or FMX. This includes every tooth, from crown to root to supporting structures. They are X-rayed using both bitewing and periapical radiographs.

Occlusal X-ray

Occlusal X-rays (right) are larger than most X-rays. They highlight tooth development and placement in children. Each X-ray shows nearly the full arch of teeth in either the upper or lower jaw.

Extraoral Radiographs Extraoral X-rays are made with the film outside the mouth. These can be considered the "big picture" X-rays. They show teeth, but they also provide information on the jaw and skull. Extraoral radiographs are used to:

Keep track of growth and development

Look at the status of impacted teeth

Examine the relationships between teeth and jaws

Examine the bones of the face

Extraoral X-rays are less detailed than intraoral X-rays. For this reason, they are usually not used for detecting cavities or flaws in individual teeth.

Panoramic X-raysshow the entire mouth on a single X-ray. They include all teeth on both upper and lower jaws. This type of X-ray requires a special machine. The tube head that emits the X-rays circles behind your head while the film circles across the front. That way, the full, broad view of the jaws is captured on one film. Because the machine moves in a set path, you have to be positioned carefully. Devices attached to the X-ray machine hold your head and jaw in place. All this may look and feel intimidating, but the process is very safe. It often uses less radiation than intraoral X-rays.

Cephalometric projectionsare X-rays taken of the entire side of the head. They are used to look at the teeth in relation to the jaw and the person's profile. Orthodontists use cephalometric projections to determine the best type of orthodontic treatment.

Cone-beam computed tomography (CT) provides three-dimensional images. You stand or sit while the machine rotates around your head. The beam is cone-shaped, instead of fan-shaped as in a standard medical CT. A cone-beam scan uses less radiation than a medical CT scan but far more than any standard dental X-ray. The cone-beam CT is particularly useful for dental implant selection and placement.

Standard computed tomography (CT) usually must be done in a radiologist's office or a hospital. Typically, you will lie down while the image is taken. The radiation exposure is higher for this type of CT than for a cone-beam CT. A standard CT scan may be done to determine size and placement location for implants.

Digital RadiographsDigital radiographs are one of the newest X-ray techniques. Standard X-ray film is replaced with a flat electronic pad or sensor. The image goes into a computer, where it can be viewed on a screen, stored or printed out. Digital X-rays taken at different times can be compared using a process that highlights differences between the images. Tiny changes therefore can be caught earlier. Used properly, digital X-rays use about half the radiation of conventional film.

X-RAYS

Overview

X-rays, also known as radiographs, are an essential part of any dental care treatment plan. They are diagnostic, but they can also be preventive, by helping a dentist diagnose potential oral care issues in a patient’s mouth before they become a major problem.

What X-RAYS Show

Intraoral X-rays are the most common type of radiograph taken in dentistry. They give a high level of detail of the tooth, bone and supporting tissues of the mouth. These X-rays allow dentists to:

Find cavities

Look at the tooth roots

Check the health of the bony area around the tooth

Help diagnose periodontal disease

See the status of developing teeth

X-RAY Procedure

X-rays are typically performed in the office of a dentist or dental specialist. Here is what to expect:

Preparation – first a dental professional will cover you with a heavy lead apron to protect your body from the radiation. Next the dental professional will insert a small apparatus, made of plastic, into your mouth and ask you to bite down on it.

Execution – the technician will then proceed to take an X-ray picture of the targeted area. This process is pain-free and will be repeated until images have been obtained for your entire mouth.